I too like my CE 8" Lara figure but she is a pain in the ass to get her to stand up without getting her posed JUST right but the articulation (hell her ponytail is articulated ), and detailing on her is incredible, I may have to pick up more figures from Play Arts Kai in the near future (great there goes my savings ).

Holy crap, this is awesome. I just put a decent amount of time into it and it just keeps getting better. I had to sound like I'm always mentioning Uncharted with this, but I think this has already exceeded Uncharted in just about every area, except for supporting cast. I think overall, Drake is a more likable character, and Elena, Sully, and Chloe are all characters that you care about, although I think this version of Lara is a great character as well. I definitely feel more for her than I ever did for Drake, simply because all of the turmoil she has gone through. But Uncharted almost seems light-hearted compared to this, which is why a character like Drake works so well in that franchise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Master Chief

Thinking back, I was only disappointed in one thing, kind of spoilers ahead,

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I wish they gave you dual pistols w/ unlimited ammo for the whole last section. That fan service would have really hammered in her transformation for me.

I haven't finished the game yet, so I don't know what that last section is like, but I agree

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

after Roth's death, they showed two pistols, and I couldn't help but feel like Lara was going to take both of them right then and there. The sections right before seemed like Lara's ultimate breaking point where she was just determined to kill, so it would have made perfect sense to do it there.

I haven't finished the game yet, so I don't know what that last section is like, but I agree

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

after Roth's death, they showed two pistols, and I couldn't help but feel like Lara was going to take both of them right then and there. The sections right before seemed like Lara's ultimate breaking point where she was just determined to kill, so it would have made perfect sense to do it there.

Holy crap, this is awesome. I just put a decent amount of time into it and it just keeps getting better. I had to sound like I'm always mentioning Uncharted with this, but I think this has already exceeded Uncharted in just about every area, except for supporting cast. I think overall, Drake is a more likable character, and Elena, Sully, and Chloe are all characters that you care about, although I think this version of Lara is a great character as well. I definitely feel more for her than I ever did for Drake, simply because all of the turmoil she has gone through. But Uncharted almost seems light-hearted compared to this, which is why a character like Drake works so well in that franchise.
I haven't finished the game yet, so I don't know what that last section is like, but I agree

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

after Roth's death, they showed two pistols, and I couldn't help but feel like Lara was going to take both of them right then and there. The sections right before seemed like Lara's ultimate breaking point where she was just determined to kill, so it would have made perfect sense to do it there.

Yup, I agree. I like the Uncharted series but I prefer the direction they went with Tomb Raider. Uncharted goes for that cinematic approach to the combat, which I do appreciate, but I have more fun in Tomb Raider since it's all about being lethal. When it comes to action set pieces though I think they're neck and neck.

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

I smirked when I saw the two pistols... and then she gives one away. Such a tease.

I know this comparison was made before, but I didn't really see it right away, but this is a lot like Arkham Asylum, both in terms of the closed "open world" and well at the equipment upgrades. I'd almost go as far as to say the only similarity to Uncharted is the treasure hunting and the action. Also, I'm glad they didn't do any co-op sections where you have a fellow crew member accompany you. It worked in Uncharted because those supporting characters were great, but this game didn't need it.

But with that said, I have some concerns over how CD will be able to tops themselves with a sequel. Both Arkham games work very well in a contained, yet open environment, but I wonder if they will try the same with this. I think this game works very well in this setting because it provides for great gameplay and character growth, but I can't help but wonder where they'll go from here. Perhaps Lara will get stuck in a huge mountain/cave and discover more traditional tombs. Whatever the case, I'm definitely interested to see what they have planned next.

But with that said, I have some concerns over how CD will be able to tops themselves with a sequel. Both Arkham games work very well in a contained, yet open environment, but I wonder if they will try the same with this. I think this game works very well in this setting because it provides for great gameplay and character growth, but I can't help but wonder where they'll go from here. Perhaps Lara will get stuck in a huge mountain/cave and discover more traditional tombs. Whatever the case, I'm definitely interested to see what they have planned next.

I'm excited to see how they introduce the new gameplay and storytelling for the sequel for that very reason. Lara is hopefully not going to be stranded next time, she'll be right where she wants to be. As long as they find a way to stay with the linear narrative (I hope Rhianna Pratchett comes back to write the sequel) and somewhat open-world element I'll be happy. Puzzle difficulties would be rad too. I know there are people who aren't fans of puzzles but it was a bit of a bummer that every puzzle could be figured out in a minute with a quick look around, then it was all about the timing.

It would blow my mind if they start from scratch again though. But I don't want to wait another 5 years.

I'm excited to see how they introduce the new gameplay and storytelling for the sequel for that very reason. Lara is hopefully not going to be stranded next time, she'll be right where she wants to be. As long as they find a way to stay with the linear narrative (I hope Rhianna Pratchett comes back to write the sequel) and somewhat open-world element I'll be happy. Puzzle difficulties would be rad too. I know there are people who aren't fans of puzzles but it was a bit of a bummer that every puzzle could be figured out in a minute with a quick look around, then it was all about the timing.

It would blow my mind if they start from scratch again though. But I don't want to wait another 5 years.

Yeah, I think the puzzles and tombs in this game were only added so that it would have some resemblance to a Tomb Raider game, otherwise this would just be a game about survival. But I definitely think there will be more focus on it in the next game, as opposed to this one where it is literally something you do on the side. But I do hope they don't go back to a traditional "level" structure.

I'm also curious to see what they do about things like animals and enemies. There was a lack of human enemies in all of the past games except Legend, and I never really liked how Lara would go on a killing spree of tigers and bears and stuff like that. In this game, it made perfect sense to kill because it was all for survival. But I'd hate to see them turn her into a stone cold killer just for the hell of it.

I just started playing tonight and just got to the part where the crazy ancient soldiers just showed up . I am liking it, it strikes me as a more violent Uncharted. I put her in the mud outfit cause I caught the reference to Predator and I like Predator.

__________________

Cass: Where are we going?

The Doctor: Back of the ship.
Cass: Why?
The Doctor: Because the front crashes first. Think it through.

I agree, I just finished it and they have undoubtedly already set it up for a sequel. My only question is how much of this new Lara will end up mimicking the one from past games. I like that we saw the Dual Pistols, but I don't necessarily think the game needs it. It was a nice throwback, but I don't think it would work control wise if they want you to be able to shoot them separately. But I was also kinda expecting some crazy flips and stuff as another nod, but like I said, I hope they really flesh this version out and don't make her into a carbon copy.

I think overall, I would rate this game as a perfect 10, but the multiplayer really hurts it, and the trophies that are related are don't seem worth grinding/boosting for. But I am definitely going to buy this game once the price drops just because I think it is the best game I've played in a long while. Definitely in my top 5 from this generation.

Yeah, I think the puzzles and tombs in this game were only added so that it would have some resemblance to a Tomb Raider game, otherwise this would just be a game about survival. But I definitely think there will be more focus on it in the next game, as opposed to this one where it is literally something you do on the side. But I do hope they don't go back to a traditional "level" structure.

I'm also curious to see what they do about things like animals and enemies. There was a lack of human enemies in all of the past games except Legend, and I never really liked how Lara would go on a killing spree of tigers and bears and stuff like that. In this game, it made perfect sense to kill because it was all for survival. But I'd hate to see them turn her into a stone cold killer just for the hell of it.

Yeah, I mentioned in an earlier post about how super easy the tombs were and how all but two of them didn't put your life at risk, like where were the deathtraps and the like? You'd think since the Tombs were optional, they'd be the hardest and highlight of the game. As for the enemies, it only made sense you fought more animals than humans, after all you were exploring ABANDONED exploration sites where only preditory animals would reside. I'm only in favor of human fighting where it made sence (like this game). Overall, Tomb Raider should be more about exploration than combat anyway. Leave the heavy combat to Uncharted.

Another thing that kinda annoyed me was that for all the trouble CD went through to showcase Lara being vulnerable in the beginning it kinda rings hollow when when the removed the healthbar in favor for the dreaded "Wolverine healing powers" so many games are adopting and you see Lara taking all these bumps and she walks mostof these off no problem. One part I did like was

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

her first bump when she fell on a stick and was impailed and then later reopening that wound after the Mountain Decent where she had to seal the wound in the Shanty Town.

I wished there was a difficulty like in Hitman: Absolution where you can turn off the instinct hints and forces you to explore more for the purist TR player.

__________________Throw the rules out of the window, odds are you'll go that way to.

Backtracking is the basis of all gameplay. Only a fool wouldn't recycle assets to lengthen gameplay

Yeah, I mentioned in an earlier post about how super easy the tombs were and how all but two of them didn't put your life at risk, like where were the deathtraps and the like? You'd think since the Tombs were optional, they'd be the hardest and highlight of the game. As for the enemies, it only made sense you fought more animals than humans, after all you were exploring ABANDONED exploration sites where only preditory animals would reside. I'm only in favor of human fighting where it made sence (like this game). Overall, Tomb Raider should be more about exploration than combat anyway. Leave the heavy combat to Uncharted.

Another thing that kinda annoyed me was that for all the trouble CD went through to showcase Lara being vulnerable in the beginning it kinda rings hollow when when the removed the healthbar in favor for the dreaded "Wolverine healing powers" so many games are adopting and you see Lara taking all these bumps and she walks mostof these off no problem. One part I did like was

Spoiler!!! Click to Read!:

her first bump when she fell on a stick and was impailed and then later reopening that wound after the Mountain Decent where she had to seal the wound in the Shanty Town.

I wished there was a difficulty like in Hitman: Absolution where you can turn off the instinct hints and forces you to explore more for the purist TR player.

I honestly dind't think about the health bar thing until you mentioned it. I wonder, how much of it was done because that's just how games are being made now, and how much of it was to stray away from the previous series. I think the argument can be made that it made better sense story wise for Lara to shake off the bumps and bruises until the story calls for her to deal with a bad wound. Yet at the same time, that was one criticism I heard about Uncharted where Drake would take hundred of grazed bullets and be okay, but then feel so much pain but on wound in a cutscene. I think all and all, that's just the nature of the industry now.

As for the Tombs, I'm listening/watching IGN's Spoilercast and I thought it was interesting how they said the tombs were supposed to be secret, yet the game tells you exactly where they are. As for the instinct, I like how they handled it in this one, as opposed to Detective Mode in the Arkham games where you're more likely to just play the game with that on the entire time.